As Simpson steps aside from the role ahead of his 15th season at the elite level, it's ironic that the Roos finally have some certainty of their future.
Last week's successful transfer from private ownership to a member-governed structure was a key step towards settling a club forced to find second homes in Canberra and on the Gold Coast in recent years.
And the imminent construction of new facilities at Arden Street, the biggest sponsorship deal in North history, a profitable 2008 and confirmation that all 11 home games will be played in Melbourne next year are strong signs as well.
However, it wasn't so long ago that North found its lowest ebbs – considering a move to south-east Queensland to secure its future.
Add to that 2006's 14th-placed finish, its worst season since finishing 12th of 15 clubs in 1992.
"It was pretty tough because you're always thinking about the survival of the club," Simpson said on Wednesday. "I think we've just about got over that horizon from my point-of-view.
"We've still got a lot of work to do, but there was a period there when winning meant survival. I don't think some of the leaders from other clubs have that pressure. Although it was never put on me personally, you just feel that being an older player and the captain – you need success for us to survive.
"The board, the club and the coaches were really good at keeping us separate from that. We always said: 'Our job is to play football'.
"The senior players were always kept in the loop [and] it never filtered through to the other players, but there was a few tough times there. Even back in the nineties when we were taking pay cuts and things like that.
"It's always been a bit of a struggle for the senior players, and you can get too involved sometimes.
"I thought the playing group and the coaching staff did a pretty good job in those years," he added. "But it's a new era now. It's always been about on-field success but there was always a bit of pressure about 'Geez, if we have a couple of bad years in a row, you don't want to be the last captain of the footy club'."
Simpson's announcement means the process of identifying North's new captain is underway, and senior coach Dean Laidley is confident of a quick transition.
"We're just about to finish off the process and we'd like to think it would get done well and truly before the end of this month," Laidley said.
"With Adam, with what he's doing, it just allows the new captain and the leadership group the summer to get the house in order.
"We still feel the new captain and the new leadership group will need a pre-season and as long as they possibly can to stamp their imprimatur on the group."
Laidley added that Simpson should remain in the leadership group of a squad that will have 60 per cent of its players with three years' experience or less.
